Arsenal

Arsene Wenger: Mesut Ozil a major doubt for Huddersfield trip

German international, Mesut Ozil could still be out for the Gunners trip away to newly promoted side Huddersfield in mid-week due to the same illness that kept the playmaker out of 1-0 away win at Turf Moor on Sunday.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates having refused to extend his contract at the north London club, but his absence was felt at Turf Moor as we had to rely on a last minute penalty by Alexis Sanchez to secure a hard fought win against the Clarets.

However, the win moved us into the top four and Arsene Wenger has revealed the attacking midfielder is a major doubt for the game against the Terriers at the John Smith’s Stadium in mid-week.

“I haven’t even seen him. He also added, The doctor came to see me and said he had to travel back home, he was in the hotel with us. He travelled up with us, then travelled back.

“We brought (Ainsley) Maitland-Niles up, who arrived at 1pm because we had only 17 players.

“Will Ozil be available for Wednesday? Certainly he will be short. We will see what it is exactly.”

The 29-year-old has struggled for consistency so far this season but his qualities can’t be undermined as he has shown recently that when he plays well the team plays well.

Although, his future is still up in the air with less than 8 months on his contract and might leave the Emirates as early as January with reports in Spain claiming the former Real Madrid man has agreed a deal to move to the Nou Camp in the winter transfer window.

The attacking midfielder looks destined to leave the Emirates for a cut price deal in the winter transfer window or could be set to leave on a free next summer, but Wenger will be hoping he can overcome his illness and be back in the squad as the Gunners host Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday in a mouthwatering clash.